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looking for a better level

C

chris fresh

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
1,519
Location
savannah ga
right now i have an older 4ft johnson wood level,a 2ft fatmax,and an aluminum 6ft.all have seen better days and get used almost daily.but i'm looking for something better,something that can be for construction/tile/remodeling daily and still stay true.

i'm not concerned with price,just quality.i've gotten years of use out of the ones i have now and plan on many more years with the new ones i finally decide on.

what are you guy's using,other than the ones i've listed.any pics or links would be great.
 
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BrokewrenchLS1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,650
Location
WV
I like US-made Empire stuff, not too expensive and mine all eyeball out when checked with a calibrated digital inclinometer.
 
K

KnurledNut

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Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
8,068
Location
n/a
flippin said:
Accurate levels are essential in my line of work and over the years I have come to trust Stabila Levels. They are the most durable levels and without question the most precise. Hope this helps, you won't be disappointed.

http://www.stabila.com/main.taf?p=1,1,9,1
Click to expand...

:+1:

I totally agree. I use this one on the job regularly:
http://www.amazon.com/Stabila-37448-builders-Certified-Professional/dp/B00009OLI2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1356842131&sr=8-12&keywords=stabila+48%22
 
T

tarbellb

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Joined
Apr 17, 2011
Messages
5,733
Location
Oregon
Stabila is the best ive come across. My installer friend who does $100k kitchen installs (im talking just cabinets and appliances) relies on these exclusively.

Do yourself a favor and get the vial + digi readout with audible accuracy. Priceless when you cant look at it.
 
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BreeStephany

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
May 19, 2012
Messages
849
Location
Oregon
Definitely agree with everyone here, spend the extra money and go with Stabila. Its pretty much the only level I have ever used in the trades.
 
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AZ_Catskinner

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Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
1,354
Location
Morenci, AZ
Starrett's hardwood levels are accurate to .001"/inch. If you really want precision, the 98's are accurate to .005"/foot, or the 199 is good for .0005"/foot.
 
8

85camaro

Banned
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
311
Location
the valley of the sun
I have a 4ft Johnson yellow level made in Austria that I have had for years. This thing has fallen, been knocked around, and been put through the ringer and it's still level and true. Best level I have ever owned, bar none.
 
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Ksullivan

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
291
Location
Campbell, NY 14821
I have a professional empire that I absolutely love, the dials are very clear and easy to read and it has a lifetime warranty, if it goes out of level you can get a new one.
 
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mobiledynamics

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Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
5,034
Location
Gotham City
Depends...

I'd say Stabila or Crick
The RESOLUTION of the Cricks IMO are worlds beyond the Stabilas - I have like 10 Stabilas in my stash. But, it's wood, so it needs more babying, possibility of warping, etc.
 
J

jkeyser14

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
1,816
Location
(rural) Maryland
I have an empire level and I really like it. Accuracy is .0005" per foot. I'm always curious as to why people feel the need to have multiple levels though. The accuracy doesn't change with length, the only thing a longer level will do is let you use it as a straight edge to identify high or low spots. I normally use a smaller level and just check the measurement in a couple locations for measuring longer items.
 
R

rockchucker

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
1,764
Location
Seattle WA
I have come to trust Stabila. Not a million bucks but the quality and durability is definitely there. If you are Building or doing Finish work you should always have...

72"
48"
32"-36"
16"-24"
Torpedo Level

Just my 2¢
 
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AZ_Catskinner

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
1,354
Location
Morenci, AZ
jkeyser14 said:
I have an empire level and I really like it. Accuracy is .0005" per foot. I'm always curious as to why people feel the need to have multiple levels though. The accuracy doesn't change with length, the only thing a longer level will do is let you use it as a straight edge to identify high or low spots. I normally use a smaller level and just check the measurement in a couple locations for measuring longer items.
Click to expand...

The Empires are half a thousandth per inch accuracy - not per foot. I wish they were per foot, because they'd be a hell of a lot more cost effective than the 199Z I paid $750 for.

I've put close to .250" worth of shims under one end of a 4' construction level and still shown "level" with it.

In millwright work, you can get away with having 4 levels - a smallish (3 or 4 inch) bench level for tight spaces, a string level, a machinist level (I like my 6" for making the math easier) and a 2 or 3 foot beam level for quick and dirty checks on concrete bases. I've added a 199, a cross check level and a torpedo level to the above.
 
T

Toolfool

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
4,980
Location
Tallahassee, FL
chris fresh said:
right now i have an older 4ft johnson wood level,a 2ft fatmax,and an aluminum 6ft.all have seen better days and get used almost daily.but i'm looking for something better,something that can be for construction/tile/remodeling daily and still stay true.

i'm not concerned with price,just quality.i've gotten years of use out of the ones i have now and plan on many more years with the new ones i finally decide on.

what are you guy's using,other than the ones i've listed.any pics or links would be great.
Click to expand...

I've had my set of Stabila (70-series, I think) for over 20 years. Since I also do many types of jobs, I like that they are box-style, no ribs, recesses,handles, easy to clean. The vials are also adjustable, and I might have done 4-5 adjustments since I bought them. They have a special compartment in my truck and are never tossed around .
 
J

jkeyser14

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
1,816
Location
(rural) Maryland
AZ_Catskinner said:
The Empires are half a thousandth per inch accuracy - not per foot. I wish they were per foot, because they'd be a hell of a lot more cost effective than the 199Z I paid $750 for.

I've put close to .250" worth of shims under one end of a 4' construction level and still shown "level" with it.

In millwright work, you can get away with having 4 levels - a smallish (3 or 4 inch) bench level for tight spaces, a string level, a machinist level (I like my 6" for making the math easier) and a 2 or 3 foot beam level for quick and dirty checks on concrete bases. I've added a 199, a cross check level and a torpedo level to the above.
Click to expand...

Ah, you're right. They are .0005" per in, or .006" per foot. Still very accurate for most construction work.
 
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